David Foster faces cash for comment allegations over pokies stance

THE CHOP: Ex-world champion woodchopper David Foster is campaigning against Labor's prospective 2023 ban on pokies in all pubs and clubs. Picture: Phillip Biggs

Iconic woochopper David Foster is facing questions about his involvement in a campaign against Labor’s prospective ban on pokies in pubs and clubs.

Foster helped launch the Tasmanian Hospitality Association-funded Love Your Local campaign on Sunday, declaring that he had been an ambassador for the THA for “quite a number of years”.

However, Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon said it was only fair that the THA disclose how much money Foster has received for this role.

"Tasmanians deserve to know what someone is being paid for their opinion,” he said.

THA President Paul Jubb said the details of Foster’s ongoing retainer payments would remain confidential.

“David is passionate about the issues raised by the Love Your Local campaign regarding peoples’ right to choose and that is why, like us he is keen to support it,” he said.

I don’t need to be paid for this, I think it’s important for Tasmania.

David Foster

Foster hit back at the suggestions his involvement was a form of ‘cash for comment’, saying that he has been ambassador for the THA “for at least 10 years”.

“I get paid a retainer from companies and the THA is no different from that,” he said.

“I don’t need to be paid for this, I think it’s important for Tasmania.”

On Sunday, the former world champion axeman said the issue was about “the right to choose how we live our lives”.

“I don’t want to live in a community where some people think they have the right to tell other people what they can and can’t do and that is why I was excited to join the Love Your Local campaign,” Foster said.

“Personally, I don’t even play the pokies because that’s my choice, but everyone should have the freedom to choose how they spend their lives and we shouldn’t kick businesses that are the lifeblood of our community.”